AANHPI Heritage Month

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI)

Georgetown McDonough celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander heritage in the US

As May arrives, the Georgetown MBA Community unites to mark AANHPI Heritage Month, a period dedicated to honoring the rich history, culture, and contributions of Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, East Asians, Southeast Asians, and South Asians in the United States 

This month offers a special opportunity to recognize the profound impact these diverse groups have made on both our community and the world. It is a time to celebrate their enduring traditions, resilience, and the influential leaders who have championed progress, diversity, and inclusion.

Learn more at the Library of Congress's Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month page

Upcoming & Recent Events

To honor this occasion, the MBA Program Office, along with the Asian Business Student Alliance, Georgetown Korea Association, Greater China Business Association, Japan Society, South Asian Business Alliance (SABA), and the MBA Student Government Association (SGA) have planned and curated a series of engaging programs and events for our MBA students:

Monday, April 22nd, 12:30pm | Safe Bubble Conversation: For the AANHPI Community

This event is designed to offer support and a safe space for the AANHPI community at Georgetown. It’s a time to reinforce our shared connections and remind each other of the importance of mutual support. Join us as we come together to listen, understand, and strengthen our community bonds.

Vegetarian-friendly lunch provided. 

Register at HoyaConnect: AANHPI Safe Bubble Event

Mapping Asia and the Pacific Islands

Asia can be divided into five regions:

The Pacific Islands can be grouped into three areas:


Source: United Nations Statistics Division

Evolution of the term "Asian American"

The term "Asian American" was originally coined in the 1960s by activists Yuji Ichioka and Emma Gee, forming a unified identity to foster solidarity among various Asian ethnicities in the U.S. against racial injustices. As demographic dynamics shifted, introducing more South and Southeast Asians, the term expanded to AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander), incorporating Pacific Islanders to reflect broader cultural and geographical diversity. This further evolved into AANHPI (Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders), emphasizing distinct historical and cultural identities and enhancing advocacy for more accurate representation in social and political contexts. These developments underscore a continuous effort to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse contributions of these communities to American society.

Source: History Channel

History of AANHPI Heritage Month

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month traces back to the 95th Congress (1977-1978), evolving from a week to a full month dedicated to celebrating Asian/Pacific Americans' contributions. Initially commemorated by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 as a heritage week, the observance was expanded to a month by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 after legislative changes. This expansion was later solidified by Congress in 1992, ensuring the annual celebration every May. Presidents from Carter through Biden have since issued proclamations to honor this heritage month, recognizing significant historical contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans to American society.

Source: Library of Congress

AAPI MBA Student Organizations

Asian Business Student Association (ABSA)

Georgetown Korea Business Association

Greater China Business Association 

For additional support and resources, please reach out to MSB's SGA Student Leaders

MBA Student Government Association (SGA)

mba-sga@georgetown.edu

 mba-esga@georgetown.edu

MBA SGA FT VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Askari Rushing ajr210@georgetown.edu

MBA SGA FX VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Sherr Greene
slg131@georgetown.edu

AANHPI Support Resources at Georgetown

Georgetown University AAAPI ERG Group

The AAAPI Employee Resource Group (AAAPI ERG) strives to support and sustain a network of professionals (faculty and staff) whose objective is to celebrate, empower and advance AAAPI identifying employees and allies at Georgetown University.

Their mission is to center AAAPI students, staff, and employees at Georgetown University and their distinct experiences, creating an inclusive, equitable, and just workplace environment. The group envisions an institution in which AAAPI employee voices are amplified through civic engagement, leadership cultivation, and advocacy.

Center for Multicultural Equity & Access 

Center for Multicultural Equity & Access (CMEA) enhances the education of students historically denied access to GU because of race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, and other marginalized identities.  To live out this mission, CMEA provides a variety of intentional and culturally-relevant programming, services, and opportunities to foster student success inside and outside of the classroom.

Live Safe Mobile Safety App

LiveSafe enables direct and discreet two-way communication with your community safety officials using text, picture, video, and audio. It also lets you virtually walk your friends and family home with SafeWalk. Plus much more!​:​

Georgetown's AAPI Toolkit

Books, resources, and links to help fight racism in regard to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. This is a living document that serves as a launching point for more extensive study and action.

Georgetown University AAPI Heritage Month

Georgetown University celebrates the many contributions of Georgetown’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and highlights the teaching, scholarship, advocacy, and cultural enrichment efforts of our university community related to AAPI heritage.

Find out more at the GU AAPI Website

AANHPI Recommended Books (Source: GU Library AAPI Toolkit)

Darker Nations by Vijay Prashad
Call: D883.P74 2007
ISBN: 9781595583420
Publication Date: 2007

The Making of Asian America by Erika Lee
Call: E184.A75 L43 2015
ISBN: 9781476739403
Publication Date: 2015

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
Call: ebook
ISBN: 9781984820365
Publication Date: 2020

Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans by Ronald Takaki
Call: E184.O6 T35 1998
ISBN: 9780316831307
Publication Date: 1998

Stuck by Margaret M. Chin
Call Number: HM1263 .C45 2020
ISBN: 9781479816811
Publication Date: 2020

Yellow Peril! by John Kuo Wei Tchen; Dylan Yeats
Call: E184.A75 Y45 2014
ISBN: 9781781681237
Publication Date: 2014

Calm resources to support AAPI students

In recognition of this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Calm is highlighting the importance of self-care and the many forms it can take. Calm has curated a selection of sleep stories, soundscapes, music, movement, and breathing exercises featuring celebrated AAPI artists, narrators, and mindfulness experts. More resources available via Calm's blog

Resources on Allyship                                                                                                                        Retrieved from GM's ODECE Page

Books on How To Be An Ally

Looking for more ways to get involved or to connect with your community? Learn more about Georgetown’s DEI resources here.